Coach, Players Remember Teammate Who Dies After Battling Leukemia

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GRAVETTE (KFSM) -- A Gravette High School student died Tuesday afternoon (Dec. 6) after battling leukemia.

Lane Killion had been battling leukemia throughout the year, according to a Facebook post by Gravette Public Schools. He was a sophomore on the football team in jersey number 81, which is now on display on the field where he played.

"He was a great young man. He always tried to please everybody. He tried to do exactly what you told him to do," said Bill Harrelson, head football coach at Gravette. "He worked hard every day, whether it was in the weight room, on the football field and was a great teammate."

After a strong freshman season on the field, the wide receiver missed this past football season, but remained on the sidelines to cheer on his brothers.

"He'd push you to do better. He always had the can do attitude," said friend and teammate Hunter Cole. "He was always just there, he was always a friend to reach out to."

Harrelson said the locker room will not be the same, but his Lions will push through the grief, with their teammate always on their minds.

"Families meet together and come together in a time of loss like this and help each other out and are there for each other," Harrelson said. "That's what we're going to take away from this."

Donations are being accepted by the family to help cover the costs of the funeral and burial expenses. The Bank of Gravette has an account set up in his name.

A visitation will be held at the Ozark Funeral Home in Southwest City, Mo. Friday (Dec. 9) from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Gravette High School will host a memorial service for Killion Saturday (Dec. 10) at 2:00 p.m. at the performing arts center.